Adelanto jail deal not a lock

Thursday

Dec 11, 2014 at 12:01 AMDec 11, 2014 at 9:12 PM

Staff Reporter

ADELANTO — Protesters from Los Angeles and Orange counties joined more than 100 people inside a packed City Hall on Wednesday night for a controversial Adelanto City Council vote on a jail plan that could ease LA County overcrowding.The arrangement promises 1,250 new jobs and a $1.2 million annual bed tax to go to Adelanto’s depressed general fund, according to developers. The City Council approved it 4-1 late Wednesday night, but it still faces the hurdle of gaining approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.County supervisors and the Los Angeles County Sheriff have yet to even consider the matter, the press deputy for Supervisor Don Knabe said last month.Adelanto City Manager Jim Hart said he couldn’t speculate on the supervisors’ approval, but added that developers Doctor Crants and Buck Johns were working on a plan that could help Los Angeles County.“I'm certain that Doc and Buck haven’t spent their own money on the entitlement process not having some idea that this is something the County could use and/or needs,” Hart said.Hart said the pair hopes to gain Los Angeles’ backing and break ground in March or April, aiming for completion within two years. Meanwhile, the city is still considering its looming bankruptcy filing and ongoing $2.6 million deficit.The mixed turnout of locals and out-of-towners speaks to the inter-agency agreement required by the deal brought forward by Orange County-based developer Johns and Crants, a former for-profit prison executive.Crants founded Corrections Corporation of America, the largest for-profit prison operator in the country. However, he insists he cut ties with the company more than 10 years ago and that this jail plan is the only one he would be running as a separate deal not connected to any other private prison company.“I’ve done enough work in Los Angeles County to know there’s some interest,” Crants told the council.Protesters claimed newly elected Los Angeles County supervisors Hilda Solis and Sheila Kuehl would be opposed to the plan based on comments they made during campaign season on the county’s $2 billion jail plan announced in May. A message left with Solis’ office Thursday was not immediately returned and a spokesperson for Kuehl said she has yet to take a position.“It’s time to change the disastrous trajectory in California,” said Sheila Pinkel, an art professor from Pomona College and a member of Californians United for a Responsible Budget. “Since 1980, 23 new prisons and only one new university have been built in the state. Prisons and jails are bankrupting the state of California. Not only financially but, the growth of incarceration is bankrupting thousands of families which are being destroyed because of incarceration.”At least two council members made polite comments thanking the public for their input, but added that they weren’t interested in “outsiders” muddling in the city’s business.“Maybe you should look at what’s happening in your own neck of the woods,” new Councilman John “Bug” Woodard said. “We are,” a group from the back row representing CURB and “L.A. No More Jails” responded in unison.In reaction to Victorville city officials’ request to postpone the jail vote, Councilman Jermaine Wright said he hoped Victorville would stay out of Adelanto’s affairs. However, he was the sole council member to vote down the jail proposal.“If you want to help us, help us the right way,” Wright said. “Don’t criticize, and say what you say after the fact. You had years to help this city and to go to the county and the state to talk about taxes. Well, it’s too late now, so keep your nose out of our business and I guarantee you, I’ll keep mine out of yours.”Brooke Self may be reached at 760-951-6232 or BSelf@VVDailyPress.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @BrookeSelf or @DPEduNews.

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